"Why don't you go to him at once, and ask him for the recommendation?" said Katy wondering why he hesitated at so plain a case. But Master Simon had some scruples about doing so. He was old enough to know that it was rather a delicate business to ask a man in a high official station for a testimonial on so slight an acquaintance. The mayor was interested in Katy, though she did not presume to call him her friend. She had twice called upon him, and she might again. "I don't like to ask him, Katy. I feel some delicacy about doing so." "I should just as lief ask him as not, if I were you. I am afraid you are too proud, Master Simon." "I am proud, Katy: that's just it. I was born to be a gentleman, but I submit to my lot. I am willing to sell my talents and my labor for money. If I can once get in at Runn & Reed's, I am sure they will appreciate me, and consider it a lucky day on which they engaged me." "If you want me to go to the mayor's house with you, I will," said Katy, who did not clearly comprehend Simon's wishes. "Well, I think I will not go myself," replied Simon. "Why not?" "I do not like to place myself in a humiliating posture before great men. If I were mayor of Boston, I should like to do him the favor which I ask for myself. When I am--" "You haven't asked him, Master Simon." "In a word, Katy, I want you to ask him for me. You will do me a great favor." "I will," replied Katy, promptly. "The mayor is a very fine man, kind-hearted, and willing to help everybody that deserves help; and if he were not my friend, I should feel no delicacy in asking him myself. You can state the case, and inform him who I am, and what I am; that you know me to be honest and faithful. You can tell him, too, that I am a gentlemanly person, of pleasing address." "But I can't remember all that," interposed Katy. "Tell him what you can recollect, then. He is an easy, good-natured man, and will give you the testimonial at once." "Suppose you write a paper, just such as you want, Master Simon. Then he can copy it." "Well I will do that." Simon seated himself at a table, and, after considerable effort, produced the following piece of elegant composition, which he read to Katy:-- "To whom it may concern: "This may certify that I have been for some time acquainted with my friend Mr. Simon Sneed, and I believe him to be an honest and faithful young man, of gentlemanly bearing, pleasing address, and polite manners, who will be an honor and an ornament to any establishment that may be so fortunate as to secure his valuable services; and I cheerfully recommend him to any person to whom he may apply for a situation. Mayor of Boston." "I have left a blank space for his honor's signature," continued Master Simon, when he had read the modest document. "What do you think of it, Katy?" "It is very fine. What a great scholar you must be! I should think you'd write a book." "Perhaps I may one of these days."